You might have noticed that NFL Draft coverage has become so universal, everyone thinks they're Mel Kiper, Jr. (Are you Mel Kiper, Jr.? test question #1: Have you been using Vitalis and, if so, one splash or twelve?)
So, as a veteran "draftnik" (which is what they called us when we showed up at noon on a weekday at New York's Marriott Marquis, years before the draft became a three-day primetime rock concert), here are some small bites on Connecticut's regional favorites that might wet your beak:
PATRIOTS
1st Round, 15th pick: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama (6'3", 217 lbs.)
--threw for 41 touchdowns and just 4 interceptions in 2020, completing 77% of his passes
--racked up that production by delivering near-perfect throws to three other first round stars (Jaylen Waddle, DeVonta Smith, Najee Harris) behind blocking by another first rounder (Alex Leatherwood)
--another addition from the Nick Saban Football Factory, which has given (Dont'a Hightower) and taken away (Cyrus Jones)
2nd Round, 38th overall: Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama (6-4, 310 lbs.)
--Belichick loves defensive tackles who can stop the run and chase down the quarterback; he also loves players from Alabama, in case you hadn't noticed
--a force in the national championship game, named defensive MVP
--Patriots moved up to nab him
3rd Round, 96th overall: Ronnie Perkins, edge rusher, Oklahoma (6-2, 253 lbs.)
--described by NFL.com as "tight-hipped" and a "very average athlete," the description that has been used to describe many draftees who turn out to be impactful pieces in the Belichick defense
--selected with the compensatory pick received for Tampa Bay's signing of a certain former Patriots quarterback
GIANTS
1st Round, 20th pick: Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida (6'0", 193 lbs.)
--a big run-after-catch guy, perhaps (ideally) in the mold of Odell Beckham or Victor Cruz
--like Mac Jones, had just one huge year in college: 2020, catching 70 passes for almost 1,000 yards, with 12 overall touchdowns in 11 games
--Giants gave up the 11th pick overall, receiving a 2022 first round pick from Chicago (and more) for moving down to #20
2nd Round, 50th overall: Azeez Ojulari, OLB, Georgia (6-2, 249 lbs.)
--an exciting pass rush prospect, something the Giants have lacked
--he'll be 21 during the upcoming season, which will make him one of the youngest players in the league
--Giants traded down, again, picking up an extra third round pick in 2022
3rd Round, 71st overall: Aaron Robinson, CB, Central Florida (6-2, 249 lbs.)
--speedster for the Giants' defensive backfield
--transferred to Orlando from Alabama
JETS
1st Round, 2nd pick: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU (6'2", 214 lbs.)
--threw for 33 touchdowns and 3 interceptions in 2020, completing 74% of his passes
--can run the ball well, scoring 10 rushing touchdowns last year
--like Jones and Toney, had only one big year in college ball
--described in various scouting reports as a "gunslinger," which can be good (lots of risky passes caught for big gains) or really bad (lots of risky passes caught for interceptions)
1st Round, 14th pick: Alijah Vera-Tucker, G, USC (6'4", 308 lbs.)
--lined up at tackle during the 2020 season, but projects as a guard in the NFL
--a solid blocker as the Jets try to give Wilson the protection that the Former Guy, Sam Darnold, often did not get
2nd Round, 34th overall: Elijah Moore, WR, Mississippi (5'9", 178 lbs.)
--small and super-fast; will bring some excitement to a long-dormant Jets offense
--in 2020, had numbers in just eight games that would look good for a full pro season: 86 catches for almost 1,200 yards, eight touchdowns